Safeway Recalls Jumbo Rocky Ford Cantaloupe from Jensen Farms Sold in Five States

PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In cooperation with the Jensen Farms voluntary recall of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe due to possible Listeria contamination, Safeway is voluntarily recalling Jumbo Cantaloupes grown in the Rocky Ford region, supplied by Jensen Farms, and sold in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico (Aztec and Farmington), South Dakota and Wyomingbetween August 30 and September 6.

Safeway customers who purchased the recalled cantaloupe and still have it in their homes should discard it or return it for a full refund. NOTE: Cantaloupes currently in stores are not subject to this recall as they do not come from Jensen Farms or the Rocky Ford region of Colorado. Jensen Farms is not a main supplier for Safeway.

On September 14, 2011 the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to not eat Rocky Ford-region cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria and may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that at least 22 people in seven states have been infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes as of September 14. Safeway is not aware of any illnesses associated with its cantaloupe. Cantaloupe samples collected from Safeway by the Colorado Department of Public Health have tested negative for Listeria.

Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include older adults, people with compromised immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer), and unborn babies and newborns. In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.

Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Jensen Farms via email at recall@rfordcantaloupe.com or phone 1-800-267-4561 between the hours of 9am and 4pm MT. They can also contact Safeway at 1-800-SAFEWAY.